Bison Hip – Everything That Came Before Was Just Leading Up To This – Album Review – bisonhip

Review By Darren McIntyre

Bison Hip are a rock/blues/country quintet from Glasgow who were born from a chance meeting that led to Zoom calls that brought these 5 boys together. The cool thing about this outfit is that they are all over fifty except Steven who clocks in at a sprightly forty (just a boy); the boys have given us EP Dear Green’s & Blues & their stonking album Older, Stronger, Better: Welcome To The Rest Of Your Life. The boys have been playing gigs up and down the country and just wanted to reach as many new fans as possible. The boys have been hard at work in the studio and are ready to showcase their blistering new offering Everything That Came Before Was Leading Up To This, which I will be reviewing for you today, please settle in, grab a cold one and prepare to be dazzled by this colossal slab of blues rock that will certainly have you reaching for the repeat button.

‘ rollin’Everything That Came Before Was Just Leading Up To This – The track begins with a real haunting bluesy keys intro that lets the boys come through and hit us with a punchy rhythm section that controls the beat as the track opens and really comes for us. The blues soaked gravelly vocals flow freely through the track as the tone lingers and hits us with a cool, meaty bassline that delivers deep, delicious tones that are wrapping themselves around this toe tapping blues eruption. The punchy bass kicks are rolling through the track as the slick beat combines with a cool, slick, crisp guitar riff that really lets us feel the energy oozing from this cool rocking blues explosion, the tempo changes pace as sweet piano keys deliver a funky, groove laden tone that lets John lean in and give us a clean guitar lick that just ripples through the mid section of this incredible opener that just picks up where the last record left off. The boys have kicked in the doors and given us what we craved: a rockin rollin blues eruption that just puts a smile on your face.

Bedlam – A cool, sludgy guitar riff opens the track as a dark, brooding bassline drops in and really hits us with a cool groove as the rhythm section hits us with a snare drum kick and soothing bass beat that just settles us into this blues groove beast that lets Paul bring his smouldering vocals that just let the track breathe. The killer Hammond-style keys really give the track a funky, blues feel that gets us movin’ and groovin’ as the sweet, clean guitar licks take the track onwards as the boys set out their stall and let us know they are back, baby. The whole piece is just a fluffy, well-written, groove-filled rocker that really delivers with ease as the punchy beats give the track a perfect backdrop as we let the tempo change pace as the soaring vocals flow alongside a sweet piano-laden solo that really takes us all the way.

Chemicals – The rhythm section comes through with a real nice punchy tone that works well alongside a sweet, crisp guitar riff that allows the track to build as Paul lets his sizzling vocals lead the arrangement down the road. The funky bassline is coming through and gives us a cool, dark, brooding tone that just has us feeling the tone as it weaves its way through this fantastic, emotion-filled number that really lets us feel the depth oozing from the boys as they give us another foot-stomping blues eruption that will certainly have us up on the floor. The harmonies are just magnificent as the boys dive in with cool, sweet backing vocals that round off the track perfectly as the record just gets better with every new piece that hits us.

Why Should I Cry If You Leave Me – Mellow guitar tones linger through the intro as cool piano keys bring the track to our attention as the mellow backing vocals make their voices be heard. The mellow guitar licks are flowing effortlessly through the arrangement as the snare drum punches bring cymbal snaps that control the flow of this soulful piece as Paul leans in and gives us some real soulful, melodic vocals that fit the track perfectly. The full-on low end is coming through and dropping colossal, dark, delicious tones that really let the track build as the boys shift through the gears and let the groove wrap itself around us. The boys have waited patiently, written well and produced a real corker of an album that just surpasses the last album, as the lyrics really let their own story. The fantastic Hammond-style keys really embed themselves in this ballad-style track that just showcases how good these boys really are.

Outrageous – Honky tonk style piano tones open the track as this toe tapping bruiser kicks in the doors and really lets us have it as the boys up the tempo in this bar room ditty. Paul lets his bluesy vocals run freely through the track as the pounding rhythm section leans in with a solid snare drum beat that lets the bass kicks leave their mark, this is a real honky tonk blues offering that lets John bring the groove with his fantastic licks to the track as we really up the tone as the cool, meaty bassline hits us with a deep, funky, meaty groove that lets the groove build and build as the boys bring their killer backing vocals that lets Steven kick off with epic keys that are just bubbling under the surface as this bad boy puts asmile on your face with it’s soulful groove, killer melodies and fabulous lyrics that are off the chart cool.

It’s Cool – We return with a well oiled guitar lick that lets the wah wah drop in and get this toe tapping blues eruption on the move as the snare drum beats let the rhythm section control the groove as we move forward. The soulful, melodic vocals are like a breath of fresh air as the boys really deliver on quality, depth, songwriting and musicality that just gives us a real killer record that the boys should be really proud of, the funky, dark bassline is coming through and giving the track a cool edgy feel as the keys join the party and bring a real funking groove to this piece as the boys have really taken their time in putting this groover together as they hit us with a real gritty guitar riff that wanders freely through the track and lets the boys really express themselves and give us a well thought out groover record that will surely be a winner all round.

Mountain – A punchy rhythm section brings dark, heavy bass kicks that let the snare drum punches give the track a funky, edgy feel as Paul brings his sizzling vocals to the party. The awesome Hammond style keys really elevate this rockin, bluesy beast as we get a rasping guitar lick that works well with the punchy rhythm groove that is rolling effortlessly through the arrangement. The cool melodic number is hitting us with a real sizzling tone that lets the boys come in with their impressive backing vocals that work well as Paul lays down a gravelly, mellow vocals that really gives the track some oomph, a triumph in many ways as this bunch of old codgers are sticking it to us with their mettle, attitude and downright will to deliver classy blues soaked music to the fine people of the UK.

The Imposter – The rhythm section kicks things off with a real punchy bass kick and cymbal snaps that set the scene as this blues soaked ballad comes at us with sheer gusto. The dark, delicious bassline is flowing effortlessly through the track as the boys deliver a real thought provoking number that just stops us in our tracks for sure, the sweet, wholesome guitar licks are just incredible as they give the track structure, tone and direction as the boys really tell us their story as they want to give us a well thought out record that will have us reaching for the repeat button for sure. The sweet keys are flowing freely through the arrangement as we just lose ourselves in the lyrics as they wrap themselves around us and let us feel the musicality oozing from the boys as we are guided towards the end of the track with incredible keys that really let the track flow and give us a real sense of belonging.

Defenceless – A crisp, gritty guitar riff oozes from the intro as a punchy, fresh snare drum beat oozes in and lets the tone ripple through the track as the boys just keep bringing the groove. The vocals are hitting us with a mellow, funk laden tone that fits the whole track as the keys come through and let the groove wrap itself around this incredible piece of music, the bassline is just letting us know that it is bringing full on grooves that allow the track room to breath as the cymbal crashes rain down on us and really put a smile on our faces. The slick, crisp guitar licks are getting us moving and a groovin as we get a funky, mellow keys section that really ups the tempo of this fantastic track as the rhythm section leans in and really delivers a full on beat that just takes us on the journey with the boys as they celebrate another triumph with this fantastic slab of blues rock that just delivers and then some.

I Forgot To Tell My Heart That You Were Gone – The track begins with a funky, punchy rhythm section that really lets the track cut loose as the tinkering keys lean in and set the tone for this ending track that lets the guitar riffs leave their mark. Paul lets the soaring, blues soaked vocals bring the track kicking and screaming towards us as we get a low down dirty groove that immediately puts a smile on our faces. The low end is hitting us with a real delicious groove that melts all over this foot stomping, fist pumping ditty as the boys finish in style as the epic Hammond style keys really elevate this honky tonk bruiser, the tempo slows a little as we get mellow backin g vocals that slow down the beat of this funky beast as Paul lets his bluesy vocals lead the charge as we finish with a colossal, sludgy blues riff that ticks all the boxes as we say well done boys and keep doing what you do.

Bison Hip –

Paul Sloway – Vocals

John Gilmour Smith – Guitars

Graeme Carswell – Bass

Steven Radziwonik – Keys

Malcolm Button – Drums

Track Listing –

Everything That Came Befire Was Just Leading Up To This

Bedlam

Chemicals

Why Should I Cry If You Leave Me

Outrageous